BBC, the reason I ask is because Physan 20/Actinovate should take care of about any pathogen in the soil. So we definately need to find out what ails your plant, soilborne or airborne. Ami

Amiedeutch, Thanks for your concern. It's something new every year, or so it seems. I'm thankful I only have one plant with health issues. I know alot has to do with our unexpected weather changes. I'll simply need to build another bed so I can do proper rotation of my growing areas. Suze, I did the "slime test". Nothing oozed out of my infected stems, and the Black Plums are finally starting to change color. One thing is for sure: this is the year I've begun to realize how antiquated my tomato cages have become. I have a suspicion that if I stake and trellis my plants next year (or possibly even Florida Weave), I might wind up with healthier plants throughout the season.

It did not look like fusarium, in which branches randomly start yellowing and then turn crisp. It did look a bit like one plant last year that I had, an Evergreen, that one day was lush and beautiful, and then wilted all in one swoop, very quickly, in the midst of a garden that was thriving and otherwise healthy. My research at the time pointed to bacterial wilt, though I didn't do the 'ooze' test.